Decoration securing apparatus for use with tombstones

ABSTRACT

A securing apparatus is provided. The securing apparatus may include a first base portion; a second base portion pivotally coupled to the first base portion; a first side support member may include a plate portion and a pivot pin extending therefrom, the first side support member may be pivotally coupled to the first base portion; and a second side support member may include a plate portion and a pivot pin extending therefrom, the second side support member may be pivotally coupled to the base plate portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To show respect for the departed, friends and family may placedecorations, or flowers, on or near the graves of their loved ones. Forexample, a flower stand may be used to hang a bouquet of flowers next toa grave. In such an example, the flower stand may be inserted into theground adjacent the grave, wherein a bouquet of flowers may be hung fromthe stand. In another example, flowers may be placed directly on thetombstone using a flower baskets or stand that the flowers are packagedin. In such examples, however, the stand and/or basket is not firmlyattached to the tombstone. As a result, external forces, such inclementweather, other visitors, groundskeepers, and/or animals may knock thedecorations off the stand or tombstone, which generally destroys thedecorations. Such an event facilitates increasing the amount of moneyvisitors spend on substitute decorations and facilitates increasing theamount of time visitors spend cleaning the grave area.

SUMMARY

In one exemplary embodiment, a securing apparatus is provided. Thesecuring apparatus may include a first base portion; a second baseportion pivotally coupled to the first base portion; a first sidesupport member may include a plate portion and a pivot pin extendingtherefrom, the first side support member may be pivotally coupled to thefirst base portion; and a second side support member may include a plateportion and a pivot pin extending therefrom, the second side supportmember may be pivotally coupled to the base plate portion.

In another exemplary embodiment, a securing apparatus is provided. Thesecuring apparatus may include means for coupling a first base portionto a second base portion; means for coupling a frame to at least one ofthe first base portion and the second base portion; and means forcoupling at least one of the first base portion and the second baseportion to a tombstone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. Thefollowing detailed description should be considered in conjunction withthe accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary securing device;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the securing device shown in FIG. 1, in apartially open configuration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the securing device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the securing device shown in FIG. 1 with a framecoupled thereto;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a side support member that may be usedwith the securing device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a sidesupport member that may be used with the securing device shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the securing device of FIG. 1 with aframe coupled thereto; and

FIG. 8 is the securing device shown in FIG. 1 that includes a hook.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an exemplary apparatus for securingflowers and decorative items directly on a tombstone. Aspects of thepresent invention are disclosed in the following description and relatedfigures directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Those skilledin the art will recognize that alternate embodiments may be devisedwithout departing from the spirit or the scope of the claims.Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of theinvention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as notto obscure the relevant details of the invention.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example,instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are notlimiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood thatthe described embodiment are not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms“embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do notrequire that all embodiments of the invention include the discussedfeature, advantage or mode of operation.

FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary securing device 100. FIG. 2 is atop view of securing device 100 that is oriented in a partially openconfiguration. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of securing device 100. Inthe exemplary embodiment, securing device 100 may include a firstportion 102 and a second portion 104. First and second portions 102 and104 may each include a substantially triangular shape. Alternatively,first and second portions 102 and 104 may each include, but not limitedto, semi-circular shape, a trapezoidal shape and/or any other shape thatenables securing device 100 to function as described herein. In theexemplary embodiment, securing device 100 may be made out of materialssuch as, but not limited to, metal, wood, plastic, and/or any othersynthetic or natural materials that enable securing device 100 tofunction as described herein.

Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, first portion 102 may include afirst handle 106 extending therefrom, and second portion 104 may includea second handle 108 extending from second portion 104. As described inmore detail below, when securing device 100 is in a substantially closedposition, first and second handles 106 and 108 may overlap to form ahandle portion 110. Handle portion 110 may include a locking aperture112 defined within each first and second portion 102 and 104. Lockingaperture 112 facilitates locking securing device 100 in a substantiallyclosed position, as described in more detail below. Alternatively,locking aperture 112 may be an elongated slot to facilitate inserting alocking bolt and screw therethrough, which may enable handle portion 110to be locked in graduated increments.

Further, first and second portions 102 and 104 may include a pivotaperture 114 defined in both first and second portions 102 and 104, andmay be positioned opposite handle portion 110. A main pivot pin 116 maybe inserted into pivot aperture 114 such that main pivot pin 116pivotally couples first portion 102 to second portion 104.

In the exemplary embodiment, first portion 102 may also include a firstlocking slot 120 and second portion 104 may include a second lockingslot 122 that is oriented such that second locking slot 122 may besubstantially aligned with first locking slot 120 when securing device100 is in the substantially closed position. A locking mechanism 124 mayextend through first and second locking slots 120 and 122 to facilitatelocking first portion 102 with respect to second portion 104. In theexemplary embodiment, locking mechanism 124 may include a bolt andscrew. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of apertures may bedefined in first and second portions 102 and 104 and may be used tofacilitate locking first portion 102 with respect to second portion 104.

FIG. 4 is a top view of securing device 100 with a frame 127 coupledthereto. In the exemplary embodiment, securing device 100 may include aframe attachment mechanism 126 to facilitate attaching frame 127 tosecuring device 100. Attachment mechanism 126 may include a plurality ofconnecting objects 128 coupled to first and second portions 102 and 104,and a connector rod 130. Moreover, frame 127 may include a wirestructure that includes a plurality of elongated members coupledtogether to form frame 127. Attachment mechanism 126 facilitatescoupling frame 127 to securing device 100, as described in more detailbelow. In the exemplary embodiment, connecting objects 128 may bearc-shaped structures that enable connector rod 130 to be insertedtherethrough. In another embodiment, connecting objects may includeeyelets that enable connector rod 130 to be inserted therethrough. Inyet another embodiment, connecting objects may include a plurality ofhooks 131, as shown in FIG. 8, wherein hooks 131 extend away from asurface of first and second portions 102 and 104 that facilitatecoupling frame 127 to securing device 100.

First portion 102 may include a first side corner 132, and secondportion 104 may include a second side corner 134. First and second sidecorners 132 and 134 may be positioned opposite of one another whensecuring device 100 is in a substantially closed position, as shown inFIG. 1. Moreover, first and second side corners 132 and 134 may eachinclude a plurality of adjustment apertures 136 defined therein.Specifically, adjustment apertures 136 may be positioned such thatadjustment apertures 136 generally form a row that extends away from thecorner towards the center of the respective first or second portion 102or 104. In an alternative embodiment, adjustment apertures may includean elongated slot that extends away from the corner towards the centerof the respective first or second portion 102 or 104.

In the exemplary embodiment, securing device 100 may also include afirst side support member 140 and a second side support member 142. FIG.5 is a perspective view of either first or second side support member140 or 142. Referring to FIG. 5, first and second side support members140 and 142 may each include a plate portion 144 and a connecting pin146 coupled to plate portion 144 and extending away therefrom. Moreover,in the exemplary embodiment, first and second side support members 140and 142 may each include a protective layer 148 coupled thereto that canfacilitate protecting the tombstone from damage. In one embodiment,protective layer 148 may include, but not limited to, a rubber material,a plastic material, a cloth material and/or any other material thatenables securing device 100 to function as described herein. In theexemplary embodiment, first and second side support members 140 and 142may each be made of a material such as, but not limited to, metal, wood,rubber, plastic and/or any other synthetic or natural materials thatenables securing device 100 to function as described herein.

First and second side support members 140 and 142 may be coupled tofirst and second side corners 132 and 134, respectively. In theexemplary embodiment, first side support member 140 may be coupled tofirst side corner 132 using adjustment apertures 136. Specifically,connecting pin 146 may extend through one of the adjustment apertures136 to facilitate pivotally coupling first side support member 140 tofirst portion 102. As a result, first side support member 140 mayrotate, pivot, or otherwise move about connecting pin 146 with respectto first portion 102. In the exemplary embodiment, second side supportmember 142 may be coupled to second portion 104 and more specifically,second side corner 134 in a substantially similar manner as describedabove.

Connecting pin 146 of first and second side support members 140 and 142,may extend away from the center of first and second side support members140 and 142. Alternatively, connecting pin 146 may be coupled to firstand second side support members 140 and 142, such that connecting pin146 may be positioned substantially off-center.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of eitherfirst or second side support member 140 or 142 that includes an angledconnecting pin 150 that may have an angle, wherein connecting pin 150may extend away from plate portion 144. The angle of connecting pin 150may enable first and second side support members 140 and 142 to extendaway from securing device 100 at an angle. Angled connecting pin 150 mayalso facilitate coupling securing device 100 to tombstones that includeangled sidewalls, as described in more detail below. Moreover, angleconnecting pin 150 may be fabricated to have any angle that enablessecuring device 100 to function as described herein.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of securing device 100 with frame 127coupled thereto, wherein securing device 100 is coupled to a tombstone151. In the exemplary embodiment, a position of first and second sidesupport members 140 and 142 may be adjusted using adjustment apertures136. Specifically, either first or second side support member 140 or 142may be adjusted using adjustment apertures 136 such that a distancemeasured between first and second side support members 140 and 142 maybe adjusted. In one non-limiting example, first side support member 140may be coupled to an adjustment aperture 136 that is substantiallycloser to the center of first portion 102 than first side corner 132. Assuch, adjustment apertures 136 can facilitate adjusting the distancemeasured between first and second side support members 140 and 142 tofacilitate coupling securing device 100 to tombstones that may includevarious widths, as described in more detail below.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of securing device 100 that includes a hook152. In the exemplary embodiment, hook 152 may be coupled to securingdevice 100, and more specifically first and second portions 102 and 104.In the exemplary embodiment, hook 152 may be coupled to adjustmentaperture 136 on first and second corners 132 and 134. Alternatively,hook 152 may be coupled to securing device 100 using a weld or any othercoupling means known to one having ordinary skill in the art. In theexemplary embodiment, hook 152 enables a user to hang a decorativeobject therefrom. In one non-limiting example, hook 152 enables a userto hang a wreath therefrom.

During operation, securing device 100 may be coupled to tombstone 151.Specifically, securing device 100 may be placed onto tombstone 151 suchthat first and second side support members 140 and 142 may contact atleast a portion of a first sidewall and a second sidewall of tombstone151. To couple securing device 100 to tombstone 151, securing device 100is partially opened by pivoting first portion 102 away from secondportion 104 such that a partial gap is formed between first handle 106and second handle 108. First and second side support members 140 and 142may be adjusted using adjustment apertures 136 such that the distance(not shown) measured between first and second side support members 140and 142 is at least partially greater than the width of tombstone 151.Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, securing device 100 may beoriented on tombstone 151 such that a bottom portion (not shown) ofsecuring device 100 does not contact tombstone 151.

Once securing device 100 is properly aligned with tombstone 151, a usermay close securing device 100 by moving first and second handles 106 and108 towards one another, such that first and second portions 102 and 104pivot about main pivot pin 116. As a result, the gap may be reduced suchthat first handle portion 110 and second handle portion 110 overlap oneanother. In the exemplary embodiment, the user may close securing device100 such that first and second side support members 140 and 142 apply aforce to the sidewalls of tombstone 151. In the exemplary embodiment,the amount of force applied to tombstone 151 facilitates generating afriction force between that facilitates preventing securing device 100from separating from tombstone 151.

In the exemplary embodiment, once the user has applied the desiredamount of force to tombstone 151 using securing device 100, the user maylock securing device 100 into position using locking mechanism 124.Moreover, the user may also couple a lock (not shown) to handle portion110, and more specifically, locking aperture 112, to facilitatepreventing first portion 102 from sliding with respect to second portion104.

Once securing device 100 is coupled to tombstone 151, the user mayattach a bouquet of flowers thereto. In the exemplary embodiment, theuser may connect frame 127 to securing device 100 using attachmentmechanism 126. For example, frame 127 may be placed adjacent securingdevice 100, and more specifically, on top of securing device 100.Connector rod 130 may be coupled to frame 127 such that at least aportion of frame 127 is positioned between securing device 100 andconnector rod 130. Moreover, connector rod 130 may be coupled tosecuring device 100 using connecting objects 128. As a result, frame 127may be coupled to securing device 100. Once frame 127 is coupled tosecuring device 100, the user may couple a bouquet of flowers to frame127. The bouquet of flowers may be coupled to frame 127 using anycoupling means known to a person having ordinary skill in the art.Moreover, the user may hang a wreath, or other decorative objects, fromsecuring device 100 using hook 152.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the bouquet of flowers may include aholder. In such an embodiment, the user may use the connector rod 130and connecting objects 128 to facilitate coupling the flowers and holderto securing device 100.

Exemplary embodiments of securing devices are described in detail above.The securing devices described herein enable users to secure decorativematerials thereto, and more specifically tombstones. Moreover, thesecuring devices described herein facilitate preventing the decorativematerials from being displaced from the tombstones due to inclementweather, other visitors, groundskeepers, animals and/or any otherexternal force. As a result, the securing devices facilitate preventingdestruction of decorative devices and therefore facilitate reducing anyexpenses the users may spend of replacement decorative materials.Moreover, the securing devices facilitate reducing the amount of timeusers spend cleaning the grave site of fallen decorative materials.

The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate theprinciples, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of theinvention. However, the invention should not be construed as beinglimited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additionalvariations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should beappreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined by the following claims.

1. A securing apparatus comprising: a first base portion; a second baseportion pivotally coupled to said first base portion; a first sidesupport member comprising a plate portion and a pivot pin extendingtherefrom, said first side support member pivotally coupled to saidfirst base portion; and a second side support member comprising a plateportion and a pivot pin extending therefrom, said second side supportmember pivotally coupled to said base plate portion.
 2. A securingapparatus in accordance with claim 1, further comprising an attachmentmechanism comprising a plurality of connecting objects coupled to atleast one of said first base portion and said second base portion, and aconnecting rod coupled to said connecting objects.
 3. A securingapparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said plurality ofconnecting objects comprise a plurality of eyelets coupled to at leastone of said first base portion and said second base portion.
 4. Asecuring apparatus in accordance with claim 2, further comprising aframe coupled to at least one of said first base portion and said secondbase portion using said attachment mechanism.
 5. A securing apparatus inaccordance with claim 1, further comprising an attachment mechanismcomprising a plurality of hooks coupled to at least one of said firstbase portion and said second base portion.
 6. A securing apparatus inaccordance with claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanismcomprising a first slot defined in said first base portion, a secondslot defined in said second base portion, and a locking screw extendingthrough said first slot and said second slot, wherein said first slot issubstantially aligned with said second slot.
 7. A securing apparatus inaccordance with claim 1, further comprising a plurality of adjustmentapertures defined in at least one of said first base portion and saidsecond base portion.
 8. A securing apparatus in accordance with claim 1,further comprising a first handle portion extending from said first baseportion and a second handle portion extending from said second baseportion.
 9. A securing apparatus in accordance with claim 8, furthercomprising a locking aperture extending through at least one of saidfirst handle portion and said second handle portion.
 10. A securingapparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of said firstside support member and said second side support member comprises aprotective layer coupled thereto.
 11. A securing apparatus in accordancewith claim 1, wherein at least one of said first side support member andsaid second side support member comprises a pivot pin having an anglesuch that at least one of said first side support member and said secondside support member is pivotally coupled to said securing apparatus atan angle.
 12. A securing apparatus in accordance with claim 1, whereinat least one of said first base portion and said second base portion iscomprised of metal.
 13. A securing apparatus in accordance with claim 1,wherein at least one of said first base portion and said second baseportion is comprised of plastic.
 14. A securing apparatus in accordancewith claim 1, wherein at least one of said first side support member andsaid second side support member is comprised of metal.
 15. A securingapparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of first sidesupport member and said second side support member is comprised ofplastic.
 16. A securing apparatus in accordance with claim 1 furthercomprising a hook coupled to at least one of said first base portion andsaid second base portion.
 17. A securing apparatus in accordance withclaim 1, wherein said securing apparatus is coupled to a tombstone. 18.A securing apparatus comprising: means for coupling a first base portionto a second base portion; means for coupling a frame to at least one ofsaid first base portion and said second base portion; and means forcoupling at least one of said first base portion and said second baseportion to a tombstone.
 19. A securing apparatus in accordance withclaim 18, further comprising: means of preventing damage to at least onedecorative object.